Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Planning and Sustainability Department is gearing up to host “World Planning Day,” an event designed to bring the community together to explore urban planning and sustainable living under the theme of ‘Tactical Urbanism in the Built Environment.’ The planning dayt will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 178 Sams St., Decatur, GA 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.   World Planning Day is an annual event that highlights the importance of sustainable urban planning, community involvement, and    environmental awareness.  A variety of sustainability workshops, Pop-up Mobile Permitting, Tactical Urbanism demonstrations, community resources and…

DECATUR, GA— Aziza El-Shair, 41, has been found guilty of killing a man who was her neighbor after an argument. DeKalb County District Attorney Sherri Boston announced that a jury on Friday, Nov. 3, found El-Shair guilty on charges of Voluntary Manslaughter, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony. The incident occurred on May 29, 2019. Officers from the DeKalb County Police Department responded just after 3 p.m. to a report of a person shot on Weslock Circle in unincorporated Decatur.  When they arrived, officers found Derrick Pharr, 33, lying on…

Today, Nov. 7, 2023,  is Election Day in Georgia. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters who live in several municipalities throughout the state will be electing council members and mayors whose terms are expiring. There will be special elections/questions on the ballot for some voters like those in DeKalb County, who will be voting on EHOST(special tax to rollback property taxes for Homestead Exempt properties) and SPLOST II (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, a 1-cent sales tax that provides funding for capitol projects such as roads, buildings and other long-term projects). Voters must go to…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 7, to elect City Council members and mayors in cities across DeKalb County on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Polling places will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters in the City of Stonecrest, DeKalb’s largest city with more than 61,000 residents, will elect a mayor and two City Council members. The council seats are for District 2 and District 4. The General Election also will give voters the opportunity to decide on two referendums: the EHOST, which will provide tax relief for qualified homeowners, and SPLOST II, which will…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Charter Review Commission will be holding a public hearing on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. The hearing will be held in person at the South DeKalb Senior Center, 1931 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30032. Free parking is available at the center for this evening event. The hearing will also be livestreamed and can be viewed at this link: https://video.ibm.com/channel/dctv-channel-23. The public can view suggested changes to the Organizational Act at www.dekalbcountyga.gov/OrgActDraft103023. AGENDA Call to Order Introduction of Charter Commission Members Present Background and Status Report from Chair Public Hearing: Remarks of DeKalb Residents (3…

DECATUR, GA.– Milscott Drive, between DeKalb Industrial Way and Church Street, will be closed to through-traffic beginning at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, through Wednesday, Jan. 15.   Local traffic will detour to Church Street. The closure is part of the Scott Boulevard Water Main Replacement Project Phase II.   Road closure and detour signs will be placed in the area during the road closure period advising motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions. For more information, visit the DWM website at www.dekalbwatershed.com, call the DWM Project Information Line at 1-800-986-1108 or email projectinfo@dekalbcountyga.gov.

DEKALB – Advanced voting has been slow this election cycle for both the City of Stonecrest and DeKalb County. According to DeKalb County Deputy Communications Director Sherial Cubit, only 16,033 people voted during DeKalb’s early voting period as of Thursday, Nov. 2 and just 1,174 in the City of Stonecrest. In May 2022, there was a total of 564,034 registered voters in DeKalb County and 44,582 in the City of Stonecrest. The Tuesday, Nov. 7 General Election will give voters the opportunity to vote for two referendums in addition to candidates.  EHOST will provide tax relief for qualified homeowners, and…